Gamecocks shown little love in SEC preseason projections

COLUMBIA, SC (TheBigSpur.com) -- South Carolina, a participant in last year’s Final Four, was shown little respect by the voting members of the media in the preseason SEC projections.

The Gamecocks were picked to finish 11th in the 14-team league on Wednesday, the start of SEC Media Day in Nashville, Tenn. Understandably though, South Carolina didn’t have any representatives on either of the two preseason All-SEC teams, which totaled 12 members.

Head coach Frank Martin, entering his sixth season, is captaining a very new ship this year with the loss of starting guards Sindarius Thornwell, Duane Notice and PJ Dozier along with fellow senior Justin McKie. Guard Rakym Felder, a bright spot at the end of the season, is also not currently with the team or enrolled in school.

The leading scorer returning from last year’s team is forward Chris Silva, who averaged 10.2 points per game a season ago. He’ll be joined in the front court by Maik Kotsar, the only other full-time starter a year ago, who averaged 5.8 points per game.

South Carolina will host Erskine in an exhibition game at the Colonial Life Arena on October 30 with tip-off time still to be determined. The Gamecocks open the regular season at Wofford and will christen the school’s new arena on November 10 at 7 p.m.

Fitzgerald suffered the injury in the 1st quarter. He would leave the game on a cart but came back on crutches in the 2nd half. Breeland Speaks & DeMarquis Gates made the tackle on the play, Speaks commented on the play after the game

Fitzgerald suffered the injury in the 1st quarter. He would leave the game on a cart but came back on crutches in the 2nd half. Breeland Speaks & DeMarquis Gates made the tackle on the play, Speaks commented on the play after the game

Ole Miss released more documents today thanks to the Mississippi Public Records Act. The NCAA decided in December to hand out another bowl ban for 2018. The Rebels felt that a 2017 ban is enough. The NCAA response to said appeal was revealed in 32 pages.

Ole Miss released more documents today thanks to the Mississippi Public Records Act. The NCAA decided in December to hand out another bowl ban for 2018. The Rebels felt that a 2017 ban is enough. The NCAA response to said appeal was revealed in 32 pages.

Davis will be introduced at The Pavilion Monday afternoon at 5:30pm. The Leakesville native has led Middle Tennessee to 394 wins, three NCAA Tournaments, and two NITs in 16 seasons. Kermit was in the spotlight in 2016 for upsetting Michigan State as a 15 seed in March Madness. The Blue Raiders won games in the 2016 and 2017 NCAA Tournaments.

Davis will be introduced at The Pavilion Monday afternoon at 5:30pm. The Leakesville native has led Middle Tennessee to 394 wins, three NCAA Tournaments, and two NITs in 16 seasons. Kermit was in the spotlight in 2016 for upsetting Michigan State as a 15 seed in March Madness. The Blue Raiders won games in the 2016 and 2017 NCAA Tournaments.